NAMFREL founder, ex-DTI chief Jose ‘Joecon’ Concepcion Jr dies

Jose Concepcion Jr., founder of election watchdog National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), passed away on Wednesday, the group announced on Facebook.

“The National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections mourns the passing of its founding National Chairperson, Jose S. Concepcion, Jr.,” NAMFREL said.

Concepcion, also known as Joecon, “was a visionary leader who truly loved his country, and believed in the power of ordinary citizens to effect lasting change in their own communities,” it added.

In a separate statement, the Makati Business Club (MBC) said as NAMFREL’s leader, Concepcion “helped establish transparency in the historic 1986 election.”

Concepcion was also a former Trade and Industry secretary and member of the 1971 Constitutional Convention. He was also the CEO  of RFM Corp. from 1965-1986.

The MBC said Concepcion was also a trustee from 1984 to 1986. 

“He then helped re-establish democracy and free enterprise as Trade & Industry secretary from 1986-1991,” the business group said.

A separate statement from Go Negosyo said after Concepcion retired, he served as barangay captain of Forbes Park. 

“As a civic leader, among his early crusades was to help reform Pasay City through the formation of the Pasay Citizens League for Good Government,” Go Negosyo said. 

Concepcion also co-founded the Capitol Jaycees, the Bishop-Businessmen Conference for Human Development, and the ASEAN Chambers of Commerce and Industry. 

“Joecon lived his life in adherence to his principles: that the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing,” Go Negosyo said.

Concepcion is survived by his wife, the former Maria Victoria Araneta, his eight children, his 31 grandchildren, and his twin brother Raul.  —KBK, GMA Integrated News